If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Announcement

Collapse

Forum Issues Update

We are continuing to work diligently to resolve the issues currently being experienced with the PhotoPlog. Thank you for your patience!

Indispensable Tool Construction

03-30-2012, 02:21 PM

Since this tool is being used by most people I see on this forum, I'm wondering if there is a section on its construction. I've found a few, but would like to hear of more.

Also, if you make the IT, at least in my case, the tool is going to be based 1/2" to 3/4" above the cooking surface. How do you account for the difference, or do you just go with it since it's minimal?

Comment

I am sure that you have checked the main thread. If not: IT
"Telescoping" is good for the final adjustment. Mine and few others used turnbuckles + allthread for the adjustable IT.
Are you building a true hemisphere or will you set your's on a soldier course?

I don't care what folks say behind my back........They are either braggin' or.......lyin'

Comment

Since this tool is being used by most people I see on this forum, I'm wondering if there is a section on its construction. I've found a few, but would like to hear of more.

Also, if you make the IT, at least in my case, the tool is going to be based 1/2" to 3/4" above the cooking surface. How do you account for the difference, or do you just go with it since it's minimal?

Comment

the tool is going to be based 1/2" to 3/4" above the cooking surface. How do you account for the difference, or do you just go with it since it's minimal?

If that is the biggest thing wrong with the oven you will have a masterpiece and it is not even sure to say it is "wrong". It will be impossible to tell if it is 1/2" 3/4" higher so I wouldn't worry about that. The dome itself will still be a perfect hemisphere just raised 1/2 or 3/4 of an inch. Adjusting it is an nice idea and easy enough to do with a threaded bolt but as Sharkey pointed out to me - if you do adjust it the angle will no longer grip the brick properly (more important if there is an attached clamp). I would just go with it - copy or adapt jcg31s design - it sets the angle slightly better.

Comment

Since this tool is being used by most people I see on this forum, I'm wondering if there is a section on its construction. I've found a few, but would like to hear of more.

Also, if you make the IT, at least in my case, the tool is going to be based 1/2" to 3/4" above the cooking surface. How do you account for the difference, or do you just go with it since it's minimal?

Thanks for the great info found here!

This is my Hendo tool apparatus. I drilled a hole in a firebrick and put a caster in the hole, removed the wheel and installed the clamp/spreader on the axle (using washers for spacers). In the end, we removed the clamp handle and it worked fine until the last four or five rings.

We used sticks to prop the bricks up for a few rings and finally, a Pilate's ball for the final three or four rings at the top. I elevated the center pivot of the Hendo tool deliberately to raise the dome height and ultimately have a taller door for big things like wild hogs and turkey.

When we no longer used the Hendo tool, I just took the center firebrick out, removed the shim under that brick and replaced it with a nice new one.

Comment

I simply used a piece of wood, non adjusting. I put a hinge through a 1/8" thick piece of masonite with a single bolt and a couple washers to let it freely rotate. The masonite I cut before putting it in, then screwed it back together so when the dome was done I could simply unscrew the connecting blocks and remove the 3 pieces of masonite through my arch. Screwing it together allowed me to spread the masonite to tightly fit the soldier course so the tool never moved. A simple corner bracket from Lowes held the bricks perfectly and helped set the proper angle.

All told my tool cost less then $5 for the hinge & brackets

the parallel strips of wood you can see in the pic underneath the plastic are the strips i put on to screw the masonite back together.